Friday night we told you about a rumor reported in Variety that freshman Daily Show correspondent Trevor Noah might be replacing Jon Stewart as host of the show. Now that rumor has been substantiated as Comedy Central has leaked to The New York Times that yes, Noah will be sitting in the big chair when Stewart retires sometime next year. The news has also been confirmed on The Daily Show’s website.
Noah joined the show as a correspondent last October; before The Daily Show, he had already achieved great success as a stand-up comedian in his native South Africa, where he hosted his own talk show and performed in four solo specials. He was also making inroads in America, where he became the first South African comedian to appear on The Tonight Show and The Late Show With David Letterman. Appointing a South African as Daily Show host signals a shift towards a broader international perspective for the show, as well as a more youthful vibe. (It’s also worth noting that both of the network’s flagship talk shows—The Daily Show and The Nightly Show—will now be hosted by people of color.)